Rattlesnake Roundup expands to exotic animals

Steve Scruggs holds up a rattlesnake at a past Rattlesnake Roundup in Claxton.

CLAXTON – The Evans County Wildlife Club's 46th annual Claxton Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival will be Saturday-Sunday, March 9-10, in the Claxton-Evans Industrial Park in Hagan, just outside of Claxton.

Formerly known as the Rattlesnake Roundup, the festival has expanded to feature more wildlife, new exhibits and exotic animals.

The weekend kicks off with a beauty pageant at 7 p.m. March 8 at the Wildlife Club. Miss Georgia Leighton Jordon will help crown the winner the next afternoon at the festival.

Festival gates open at 8 a.m. March 9 and at 10 a.m. March 10. Admission is $6 per person 6 and older. Kids 5 and under get in free. Parking is free. Both days there will be more than 150 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, snake handling demonstrations, entertainment, a zip line and more.

A parade through downtown Claxton starts at 10 a.m. March 9. More than 200 units are expected.

For the second year, Brian Staples Safari will provide exotic animal shows and petting zoos featuring animals such as lions, tigers and monkeys. Camels and pony rides will be available. There will also be native American artifacts display, kids’ bass fishing rodeo, a 3-D archery tournament, the Georgia Southern University Wildlife Center Birds of Prey demonstration, and exhibits from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Jacksonville Zoo.

The Brian Staples Safari Zoo Animal Magic Show is set for 7 p.m. March 9 in a tent. Admission to the interactive show is $5 for adults. Children 5 and under are free. A $3 discount is offered to those who have hand stamps from the festival.